No Innocent Victim - Tipping the Scales (2001)
All right, kids, N.I.V. is back in full effect with some brutal hardcore that should definitely get the pits going again. I must begin by saying that after my first listen of "Tipping the Scales" I was less than impressed--in fact, I would say that I was a little disappointed. However, after several more listens, my opinion has since changed for the better, and I can't help but thinking that this is what "No Compromise" could have been. I can distinctly hear the influence of previous material in each track, and if you're familiar with their other discs then just throw it all together and you will know exactly what to expect. Yeah, so many will criticize them for this because they really haven't done anything different or progressive musically, but they are still darn good at what they do. And, what they do is play some of the toughest hardcore around that has managed to secure them a respectable spot on the roster up at Victory Records. Whereas the last album had a bit of metal thrown into the mix, here we find them returning more to the hardcore punk sound of earlier days. But, as we've come to expect, there is really an amalgam of all things hardcore that includes the breakneck speed of punk intermingled with some sick breakdowns that has practically become the N.I.V. trademark. Every track packs a serious punch with huge guitars and unrelenting intensity. The only downside to the intensity is the fact that the entire disc is over after only a mere twenty two minutes! I guess my biggest complaint, though, would have to be in the production department (Surprise!). It's definitely not bad at all, but it just seems to pale in comparison to the awesome job that was done on "Flesh and Blood." The vocals don't seem quite as powerful on this record, especially the background vocals, and the drum sound can be a bit thin at times. Granted, these are probably minute quandaries when seen in the larger scope of things, and more just a matter of personal taste, but it was still enough to catch my attention at least. As far as the lyrics go, these guys just further prove that you can still be completely bold and up-front about the gospel without mentioning God or Jesus in every song. Repentance and seeking things eternal seem to be the threads running throughout the entire album, and the track "Cast Down" is particularly interesting with its cries that emulate those of an Old Testament prophet (On a side note, check out the intro. to this track and tell me that it doesn't remind you of xdisciplex's "Refuge and Strength."). Despite the initial misgivings, I can confidently maintain that N.I.V. still stands tall as my hardcore of choice. This disc should really score big with the Facedown kids (well, duh) and is simply some of the best stuff that Christian hardcore has to offer. -- Review by Jason